2020 Vision

Got the year off to a good start with Roscommon coming a very close second on the 2nd January in Australia, and then a handy third on the 25th. We'll be trying a bit more distance with him in early February, which should suit him nicely, although, having been blocked, he came fourth in his first effort over a mile on the 4th. Unfortunately, it looks like the second attempt isn't going to happen, as Jo has decided to retire 'Rosco' - he did some tendon damage that isn't bad if it's left, but might cripple him if it went again in a race scenario. He should have many more years in him as a dressage horse by calling it a day now, and that sounds good to me...

Alleviator has joined the Aussie line-up to take the place of Rosco. The 12th April debut at Townsville was a bit disappointing, simply making up the numbers, but race-rust was hopefully a factor, and at least Jo Hassett will do things right. Indeed, although it didn't look good on paper, the next race on the 23rd was much better. Another run on the 7th May, but nothing to write home about as the gate draw wasn't kind, and in a 1000m sprint, it has to be. No good again on the 21st, as yet again the gate gods were taking the piss. These short races, that rely on a bit of luck as much as preparation, were actually one of the reasons I thought about throwing the towel in Down Under. We'll see how next month goes, and then make a decision, as this one doesn't seem to be doing much, which is a little hard to stomach at the moment.

I haven't written about Ireland for ages, simply because we've had nothing but empty promises, week after week, month after month, and indeed year after year. The race that would have finally got us somewhere was cancelled the day before it was due to take place thanks to COVID-19. I have never had such a poor experience with racehorses, and this bloody nag (Godiva's Bay) has probably sucked up more funds than all my others put together. Another go at Irish racing later on? No. Everything I've touched out there turned to crap, and I want for bang for my buck, not stress.

PS. Alleviator was disappointing again on the 18th June, which marks the end of his career. I will probably have a break now. It should be noted that it's not really the horse's fault for my downer - and certainly not that of the trainer, who always tries hard - it's more the Aussie racing scene in general, with a majority of races that are too short for nags to stand a chance of getting free of a wall of fast starters. Many thanks to Jo for giving me many years of fun. Just a shame that we've finished on a low note...

Back To Racing

My God, it's been so long since we've had a runner! And even that, on 16th November, was simply to get Roscommon back into the swing of things after a lengthy spell. The nag was seventh at Townsville, which was fine, as the main thing is to make sure we're on course for a full comeback. Anyway, it was a pleasing run according to his trainer, and he's come out of the race very well, which is good news. Nothing much happening in Ireland, except a stream of video updates and a dwindling bank account...

Roscommon just made up the numbers at Townsville on the 14th December. We had a bit of bad luck with 'Rosco' in reality, in that he was prepped to peak for the week before, but the race was scratched due to hard ground. Meanwhile, nothing but bad news from Ireland, as usual. Ummm. I don't think I'll be doing anything outside Australia after this NH episode comes to a conclusion (at least Oz is cheap and the trainer is dedicated), unless I can do something with a friend over here in Japan - the long-distance ownership thing isn't working now Mick Channon Jr is out of the picture, simply becoming more stress than pleasure.

Mad Work Era

For those who keep looking at the blog and thinking I've either died or lost interest, rest assured neither apply. It's simply that work has been absolutely crazy of late - two major projects that took a lot out of me, followed by an outside job that turned out to be a nightmare. That was followed by a ridiculously tight deadline, and then another tough outside job that saw me working around the clock. Only now have I started to look at the computer again without a look of dread in my eyes, so it's time to update stable movements and a few of the results at the very least.

Starting with the English horses, things have gone very quiet since Mick Jr left West Ilsley for a new life in Australia. It saw the end of the Lord Ilsley Racing enterprise, which was always a lot of fun, and a serious drop in the level of communication generally. The Box 41 nags have also seemed to fall off in numbers, and one wonders how much longer the Box 41 syndicate will continue if things go on the way they are. Dusty had a run at Newcastle in November, and came fourth before having a spell during the off-season. Both Macho Mover and Dusty were sold late last year apparently, leaving me with nothing left running in Box 41 colours.

In the meantime, The Jazz Singer has been replaced with Second Symphony in Ireland, and 'Rosco' has given me some Aussie interest again. The Irish pair have been disappointing, as the unusually dry weather ruled out jumps racing for week after week, month after month. When they finally did get to run, Godiva's Bay was brought down by a faller hitting the ground in front of him, and the newcomer just made up the numbers. Now we are in the middle of another long break, and I'm far from happy to be honest - had I not been so busy, making time pass by at the speed of sound, I'd be even more fed up. At least, Roscommon has provided some value for money, running five times already this year, with a fourth, a third, two seconds and a handsome win. We'll do the profiles in a bit...

PS. Another win for 'Rosco' on 9th April - a glimmer of hope in a sadly gloomy era. The dream of running a series of Godiva-named horses in the UK is now behind me, as it only seemed important to me (and an old mate from Coventry who wanted in on the act) - business must be hellish good if you can ignore a solid request for a horse. Looking into the possibility of another Aussie runner, otherwise my horse racing days are looking numbered. At least Rosco had another good run, coming third at Townsville on the 18th.

PPS. No news on the Aussie expansion from someone I was sure wouldn't let me down, although Jo Hassett has come through with news that she may have something on the horizon. Bless her! She's a beaut, and always has been over the years we've been together as a trainer/owner partnership. No improvement on the Irish horses - the campaign continues to be 2% pleasure, 38% stress, and 60% burden, which is definitely not what you get into the game for. Supposed to be a runner on 4th May, but the way things are going, I'd be surprised if it makes the start line, let alone wins. If ever there was a cure for the horse ownership bug, this Irish lark is it! My England campaign is also as good as over, so having a stake in a few UK greyhounds is a more important factor than ever in me trying to keep my sanity. 

PPPS. Sure enough, Second Symphony did run, although simply made up the numbers - not the best of starts for the new Reiwa Era. It will be given one more chance, but personally, I don't think it deserves it after that performance! At least Roscommon had another good race, coming second in the 1830m Carlton Burdekin Cup at Home Hill on the 18th, and then fourth at the end of the month, thus earning himself a nice long rest. June saw the decision to give Godiva's Bay a rest in preparation for a proper Autumn campaign and the dropping of Second Symphony, so not much left to write about now...

Kochi Races

Late last year, in October 2018, we sponsored two races at Kochi rather than the usual one - a race to support Kochi track itself, which is something the Long family has been doing for a while now, and another to support the county in which it's situated, as it had been a tough year for them. As it happens, Shuji Akaoka won both of them, showing his outstanding riding skills that I have long admired, so the signed photos from the event looked like duplicates. But well done, that man! We will be sure to sponsor at least one race again in the Autumn...

Hot Summer

Dusty was fifth at Yarmouth in early August - in touch, but out of the money. However, Macho Mover put us back in the winner's circle on the 12th August, with Scott McCullagh guiding the beast to an impressive four-length victory after almost a mile-and-a-half over Windsor turf. We may not have many horses left in training nowadays, but it's nice that we can still record the odd winner every now and again. This is Macho Mover's first win, and he looks strong enough over a decent distance to keep up momentum over the coming weeks...

PS. Dusty secured a handy second place at Salisbury - nowhere near the winner, but beating the others with ease. And then McCullagh rode a magnificent race, patiently waiting for a gap before pushing Macho Mover through for another win. Dusty was third at Brighton on the 21st, hampered by a mad thing for most of the race. 

PPS. Bad news from Ireland, with The Jazz Singer suffering a heart attack and passing away on the spot. The jockey who was training with him is okay, with just a few knocks and scrapes. As it happens, a friend lost her horse a few days earlier, about the same age, but never raced and not even in work for the last couple of years - just kept as a pet. I think the crazy heat this summer is taking its toll. With Sayesse having sold at auction, we've not got much left.

PPPS. Macho Mover keeps making macho-level progress with a nice second at Beverley on 1st September, just half-a-length down on the winner. The next day, Scott McCullagh rode another fantastic race to thread Dusty through to victory. He's a name to watch out for in the future, as he already rides with a level of maturity that would have you thinking he'd been racing for decades. The next outing at Brighton went according to the betting, with Dusty third under Nicola Currie, and then we had a handy third for Macho Mover at Ffos Las. A dull outing for Dusty at Redcar, with the 5F race being a bit too sharp probably. Macho Mover was fifth a couple of weeks later at Kempton, with Dusty a disappointing sixth the following day at Brighton. Sadly, Macho Mover made no impression at Kempton on the 23rd...

Knockabout Queen

The latest addition to the Box 41 Racing syndicate is Knockabout Queen - a filly by Sixties Icon...

Sixties Icon has been a real hero in his role as a sire. An eight-time winner, with the St Leger in under his belt, he has some super bloodlines, being sired by Epsom Derby winner Galileo (by Sadler's Wells), and having Love Divine (with an Oaks victory to her credit) as his mother. Knockabout Queen has Rough Courte as her dam, with Danehill and Pivotal being her grandparents.

She was well-fancied in her debut at Wolverhampton in mid-April, but failed to impress on the AW surface. It was early days yet, of course, and one could only hope that results would start coming as her experience built up, for she'd done everything right at home. She then picked up a handy third at Brighton on the 24th, and was fourth at Beverley on the 7th May. But next time out, at Windsor on the 18th June, she was a convincing winner under David Egan. Let's hope it's the start of something good!

PS. Despite being the pre-race favourite by miles at Redcar on the 22nd, a bad start blew things good and proper for Joe Fanning, and we trailed home a distant fourth in the end...

PPS. Knockabout Queen was claimed after the Redcar seller, so she has now left the Box 41 stable. With Sayesse due to go soon as well (a fourth on 3rd August will almost certainly be his last race for us, as he's entered for auction a few days later), our list of horses in training is now the shortest it's been in many, many years. 

Quick Review

Macho Mover didn't do much at Kempton, and a fast pace and a bad gate draw (again!) should have destroyed Sayesse's chances, so second by a very short head has to be considered a superb result at Wolverhampton on the 7th April. A week or so later, there was disappointment at Kempton in a race that didn't seem to suit him, and Macho Mover ran well enough at Windsor but could only manage seventh. There will be other days!

PS. Sayesse was back in the game well and truly at Brighton on the 24th, coming a close second despite yet another rough gate draw, being forced wide, and a weight handicap that was verging on unfair. Couldn't do much at Lingfield in mid-May, though, with the pace and ground adding up to push him back into fourth.

PPS. Sayesse had a disaster at Yarmouth, while the fast pace hurt his chances at Brighton, where he finished fourth. There was a distant fifth at Goodwood in mid-June, adding to the agony of knowing we have a good pony, but the results just aren't coming. Meanwhile, Macho Mover was sixth at Chepstow, but only a length down on the winner, and a reasonable third at Wetherby in early June. There's a couple of more entries lined up, although one has to say my Irish campaign has been extremely disappointing this season - no races, only hefty bills. Not a happy bunny...

PPPS. Macho Mover was well-fancied at Lingfield, but faded badly at the end after a very fast pace seemed to ruin our chances. Another disaster for Sayesse at Newbury, unfortunately, and Macho Mover fell short of expectations at Bath on the following day after hitting the inside fence; looks like Sayesse will be sold in a few weeks now, especially after another very bad day at Chester. At least Dusty had a nice comeback run at Windsor with a very strong third place, but was penned-in at the next race at Ripon, restricting progress until it was too late. 

A Return To Form

The faith in Sayesse was rewarded at Wolverhampton on the 23rd, with a superb third, despite another unfavourable gate draw (a larger factor than normal at this tight AW track). It will be interesting to see which way the Channon family go with him after this, with the proper flat season just around the corner. Still nothing happening with the Irish pair, which is disappointing, so all eyes are on Sayesse right now. A revival of winning ways on turf can't be that far off now, surely?

PS. Sure enough, Sayesse blasted past the post at Lingfield to give me my 75th winner - a big landmark that seemed to be forever in coming, but I'm happy it was this lovely nag that made it happen. Our first winner of 2018, so let's hope this is the start of a good season! 

PPS. Fourth at Lingfield on the 19th, due mainly to a rough gate draw and bunching. Certainly not disappointed, as you should have seen the finishing speed! The good season prediction still stands...

2018

Well, things are getting off to a slow start this year - the Irish pair aren't running as yet, and so Sayesse kicked off the season on the AW track at Kempton. Let's just say the beast is coming back from its lay-off gently and leave it at that. The chances are there will be another outing on the 27th, also at Kempton, when hopefully we can regain some of the pace we know this horse is capable of...

PS. The later run didn't materialize, so we had to wait until the 10th February for the next outing, where Sayesse came fourth. Held up at the back for a long time, the final sprint revived memories of the nag of old, so maybe we can get some good sport during the spring.

New Broom

Compton Grace was supposed to be running on the 23rd, but was balloted out, although Macho Mover's debut is scheduled for the same day. Meanwhile, just had the HRI paperwork all confirmed, so watch out for the Godiva Racing colours in Ireland over the coming months and years. The Jazz Singer should be out soon, by the way, with the newcomer getting closer to a first run, too...

PS. Macho Mover sadly just made up the numbers at Newbury, so all we can do is wait and see if the experience can be put to good use next time out. We've thrown in the towel with Compton Grace, which is probably the right call. Terribly disappointing run from Dusty, maybe due to the heavy ground, so we're really suffering on the England front right now. By the way, the new one in Ireland is now officially registered as Godiva's Bay. 

PPS. Jazz has picked up a slight injury, so joins Sayesse on the walking wounded list. Bad year all-round this one. Let's hope we get some better news on the 6th, which is our next outing in England... Sadly, it wasn't good news. Looks like Macho Mover will be used until the end of the month, and then given a break until next season.

PPPS. Another awful run with Macho Mover, ending what has been my worst flat season ever (and by a very long way), full of bad luck, and horses that just didn't make the grade. Well, I guess things can only get better, and hopefully we'll get some action out of the Irish ponies - also plagued with niggling maladies and bad timing all-round. Ummm. 

Bad Runs

The Jazz Singer simply made up the numbers at Down Royal as September dawned. I'm just hoping that was a pure training run, with the trainer having something up his sleeve for the near future. To be honest, there's not much more can be said about the run, although I later learned that a diet change had been a bit part of the problem...

Compton Grace ran a stinker at Kempton Park, which must bring the horse's future into question I'd have thought, as Rockwell Lloyd was dismissed after four starts of similar quality and West Ilsley isn't the kind of outfit to keep throwing good money after bad. We'll have to wait and see, but getting that 75th win this year is looking increasingly unlikely.

All Change

Sayesse was pretty dreadful the other day, missing the jump out of the gate completely. We now know he has picked up an injury, though, explaining a lot of things... Rockwell Lloyd was going well at Lingfield but got bumped out of contention on the run-in. Damn! Much the same scenario for Compton Grace at Windsor on the 7th August, and a cruise in at the back at Bath two days later. Meanwhile, Mirzam has gone, and with mild injuries in the same camp, it means nothing much is happening on the UK front at the moment.

Not sure about The Jazz Singer (he should be out again in three weeks), but a new Irish horse has arrived on the scene. This bay gelding, born in April 2014, is the 65th racer I've had a stake in (25% in this case). The little fella's father is Tobougg (by Barathea, out of Lacovia), meaning the same bloodlines on the sire side as The Jazz Singer, while the dam is the Irish mare, Ivy Lane. She passes on the DNA of Be My Native (more solid than outstanding in his performances), and Native Thistle from the female line. This brings in Ovac from Italy, and some fascinating French blood in the shape of Match and Tantieme. He looks a treat anyway, and should give us some excellent sport in the P2P arena. Will write more after he is named.

I've also made a firm decision on Australian racing following my break from the scene. I've decided to call it a day, as the races are simply too short. This puts too much emphasis on luck for my liking, often wiping out the good work of the trainer. So, goodbye Oz - thanks to a great bunch of folks, especially Jo Hassett and her family, I enjoyed my spell with you, but it's time to move on. The Singapore idea seemed a reasonable one at the time, but my first impression after trying to get a stake in a horse out there wasn't particularly favourable, so having slept on it that's a non-starter - if the feeling isn't enthusiastic before they have your money, what chance is there of a good service after they've got it? As such, we're left with England for flat racing, Ireland for jumping, and the possibility of my own nag in Japan's NAR arena at some stage - the club option, which is nothing more than a complete waste of time and money, disappeared a long time ago...

PS. A disappointing run from Rockwell Lloyd at Newmarket. Only one win away, but that landmark 75th victory looks very far away right now.

PPS. Another bad run from 'Rocky', this time at Goodwood... It looks like the distance didn't suit him on the day, but going for very short races will limit his entries, that's for sure. Not sure what the best way is to go with this one. 

PPPS. A few minutes ago, it was noted that Rockwell Lloyd's racing career is over. You get the odd one that looks good but doesn't want to race, and this fella falls into that category. Hopefully he will find a job as a polo pony, as per one of the earlier LIR runners. 

No Champers

Well, the All-Japan Championship was disappointing. Poor Louis had to deal with a crazy 'Bugatti' (pictured in his weekend home), who would be in high-tension mode anyway having travelled so far and being in new surroundings with a competitive atmosphere. But what didn't help this year was the self-defence force deciding to hold an exercise a few minutes down the road, firing cannon and other equipment, which is frankly mad when people are working with flight animals in the country's most important annual event. It's not like the SDF has a pressing schedule, or even a lack of places to practice, and the AJC dates are known by all and sundry. I hope someone in the FEI lodges a very strong complaint.

Sophie did okay in the afternoon, but she was disappointed with the scoring of one of the judges - the others were reasonable enough. At least she has managed to team up with the big fella before jockey school beckons, and she has my respect - she can handle 'Bugatti' well (and few could, believe me!), but the finer points of dressage are a lot to ask for given that a rapid move up the classes means that a lot of the techniques are still new to both parties.

No bubbly on the racing front either, as the UK stuff hasn't ran for a little while, and The Jazz Singer could only muster a fourth at Perth last night. The 75th win (which would be my next) seems a long way off right now...

PS. All sorts of things happening on the Irish front. Will update you as soon as things firm up. Rockwell Lloyd did nothing on his debut at Newbury - the gate drama may or may not have made a difference, although this was always going to simply be a run for experience anyway.

PPS. Compton Grace ran a solid debut at Windsor - nothing spectacular but something to build on. We may have some news on Mirzam soon, and Sayesse is out again in a few days after a bit of a holiday. When everything has settled down, we can review the buying and selling spree.

Here We Go Again

Another sickening display of people with more money than sense showing off at the Hokkaido Sales this weekend. People celebrating $2m sales is not the way forward, especially when the same guy did the same thing last year (buying Satono Victory) and has been rewarded with a 7th, 13th and 14th for his investment - no mention of that in the hype, of course. By my reckoning, if he was an eskimo, he'd buy snow from a salesman knocking on the entrance to his igloo!

And now the Arabs have got in on the act, too - that will push Japanese prices that are already ten times (at least) too high even higher. They've totally ruined the market in Europe with their bulk buying tactics, throwing huge amounts of money at anything with four legs, distorting prices that had until recently allowed real enthusiasts to stay in the game. Although they seem to believe it is, bragging rights is not what racing is about...

Galway Plate

The Jazz Singer was fourth at Down Royal in the Galway Plate Trial, but seemed to be baulked a little at the final run-in. In addition, the poor nag was carrying some serious weight thanks to the handicappers. As such, the result wasn't as disappointing as it looks on paper, given that only nine ran and there were two fallers, albeit unfancied horses.

We shall have to wait and see if the race we were aiming for - the Galway Plate itself - is still on the cards. Hopefully it is, but if not there's always next year or other alternatives. With any luck, we have a big race in the pony...

PS. Not so good for Sayesse at Windsor, but it was a very hot race. A slow start didn't help his chances, but the handicapper is still not really playing the game in any case. Maybe now the nag will be given a fair crack of the whip having come in at the tail of the field? Mirzam failed to shine after being cooped in at Newcastle, and was cruised in at the end. At least Dusty was a handy third at Windsor, looking good, with the outside gate draw in a large field hampering her chances - a kinder draw may well have seen her win in my opinion. 

PPS. Checked up on my old Japanese stuff after a gap appeared in my schedules, and boy am I glad I pulled the plug when I did! Just seen Raining Dollars had a bad run at Oak Park, too, although I do miss my Aussie campaign. Maybe we'll give it another whirl one day.

Dusty

Dusty was sired by Paco Boy - a lovely horse that won 11 times, claiming three G1 victories amongst them, including the Queen Anne Stakes. Rated as one of the best horses in the world in 2010, his DNA is now starting to come through thanks to his new role as a stallion, with a fair bit of early success, such as a 2000 Guineas winner in his second crop. Of course, his ancestors were good, too, with Desert Style passing on Green Desert's bloodlines (Sir Ivor and Northern Dancer standing out further back in the male side of the family tree), while Red God and Tudor Minstrel add interest to Tappen Zee's side of the equation.

Dusty's dam is Hairspray, who won four times and passes on the blood of G1 winner Bahamian Bounty, who had the benefit of having Cadeaux Genereux as his own father. On the female side, Quickstyx passes on the DNA of Reference Point and the legendary Mill Reef. Add it all together, and Dusty should be quite a tool over the coming months - that first race was simply a warm-up!

Saturday Blues

Sayesse had a poor run at York, but the annoying thing is its handicap as it stands. When that gets adjusted to something realistic, we should have some decent results again. Dusty got a bad start at Lingfield, and in such a short race, that ruled out any hopes of a challenge this time around. Still, she should be better next time now she's had a run.

Horse Life

With Masterson now sold, 58 racehorses have passed through my hands onto the 'past' list, with five still running in England and one in Ireland (making a total of 64 racers I've had a stake in so far), plus the ex-racers, of course - 'Bugatti' (Segesta), 'Jaguar' (Mayano Time) and 'Tenn-chan' (Tempai), beautiful creatures that have given my family endless hours of fun and faithful service, to the point where the horses themselves are considered extended family. It will be interesting to see what the next couple of years brings, with future plans taking shape in my head, and the kids having their own equine vision, starting next April in Sophie's case and April 2019 in Louis'. Exciting times ahead, whatever happens...

PS. A new horse has arrived in the Box 41 camp - a 2015 filly called Dusty. Her debut is expected any minute, so we may as well leave our profile on her until then. Still no name allocated for the Box 41 colt, but watch this space.

PPS. Mirzam was a handy third at Nottingham on the 15th, and we have Sayesse and Dusty to come on the 17th - the latter's race also being its debut. Good luck to all concerned.

Spring Ramblings

The kids and 'Bugatti' have done some superb work over the last few days, both of them securing a berth in the All-Japan Championships with ease, despite Sophie making her debut in the L-series disciplines - she has every chance of being in the dressage finals alongside Louis at this rate. 'Bugatti' has really matured beautifully in his new role away from the tracks.

On the 26th, Paul Townend rode a perfectly-paced 4000m race in The Jazz Singer's debut over big fences, claiming a tidy win at Down Royal (pictured). Nearly got my 75th win straight after thanks to Mirzam, who was a close second on Saturday evening. It seems like 'Jazz' is well suited to the big stuff, and my line I'd drawn in the sand regarding the need to see a good performance has been crossed, so I guess the Irish campaign continues...

PS. Poor Sayesse didn't do so well as Leicester, but certainly can't be written off. Masterson was then third at Wolverhampton - thought we had the win, but perhaps it was too much to ask for another start-to-finish victory against strong competition. Masterson has now been sold - sad to see such a great fighter go, but that's the race game. As for the race game out here, more shenanigans brought to my attention the other day confirm that I'm happy to be well out of it as an owner. Do miss the Aussie scene, though.

Dressage Update

I might be a little disillusioned with my Irish campaign, but Louis and Sophie are making great progress with their dressage exploits. 'Bugatti' has come on in leaps and bounds of late, and the kids are making the most of his new-found ability. Having gone through the ranks (Chiba Test, A1, A2, A3, L1 and L2), Louis challenged the M1 test for the first time yesterday, and while I was disappointed that he made a silly miss on the route (extremely complicated though it may be), he still finished second with a more than reasonable 55.8 score - without the miss he would have won. Sophie has moved up to L1, used in the All-Japan Championship, and got a massive 58.1 points. Excellent! Let's see what they can do today...

PS. Another good result on the Sunday for both kids, and a dead heat win for Masterson in the week, making it six for the grey, and 72 wins in all for me. Mirzam was fourth on the following day, hampered by a loose horse for most of the race. Then, on the 11th, Sayesse was third, but damned close to winning. A couple of days later, Masterson was fifth, but you can't win them all - he's still a superb horse! Finally, Mick's faith in Mirzam was rewarded via a super win at Chepstow on the 16th. Great stuff.